Arvada, CO…….. After 23 years with the City of Arvada, the last six of which he spent as the Director
of Public Works and Utilities, James E. Root announced his pending retirement on August 1, 2011.

Many significant projects were completed during Root’s six years as Director and the prior 18 years he
served as Arvada’s City Engineer, including the connection of W. 72nd Avenue between Kipling and
Pierce Streets; the extension of Ralston Road from Lamar Street to Sheridan Boulevard; the Van Bibber
flood control project; and the grade separation of Wadsworth Bypass from the Burlington Northern Santa
Fe Railroad and Grandview Avenue.

City Manager Craig G. Kocian, who is retiring on September 1, stated, “It has been my privilege to work
with Jim Root for the past 14 years, and also during my first term as City Manager between 1976 and
1981 when Jim was a staff engineer. He is a consummate professional who has contributed much to the
sound infrastructure of our community.”

Beyond the City of Arvada, Root’s impressive career includes serving as Water and Sewer Manager
for the City of Lakewood, Colorado; Vice President and Chief Civil Engineer for Richard Weingardt
Consultants, Inc. in Denver, Colorado; and Engineering Technician roles for the Colorado Department
of Highways. He has served on numerous metropolitan organizations including the Denver Regional
Council of Governments (DRCOG) Water Resources Management Advisory Committee and
Transportation Advisory Committee. He is a member of the American Public Works Association, the
American Society of Civil Engineers, the Institute of Transportation Engineers, the Colorado Association
of Stormwater and Floodplain Managers, and Engineers Without Borders. Mr. Root is a Registered
Professional Engineer in the State of Colorado. He received his B.S. in Civil Engineering from the
University of Colorado.

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Why Are We Here?

There are no secrets here. The idea for a Citizens for a Livable Ralston Community
neighborhood association started with a suggestion by Arvada City Councilor Shelley
Cook to two local residents, T.O. Owens and John Kiljan. We were two of a number of
local residents who thought that the City was moving too fast on its redevelopment plans
for the North Jeffco Community Park. Ms Cook's suggestion was that local community
members would have more say in influencing public policy of we could organize, even if
it were just a loose organization.
Starting up any neighborhood association is a lot of work. If you don't believe that,
volunteer with us to distribute organizational fliers on a windy day, or write a few articles
or news reports on items of neighborhood community interest -- not to mention the effort
in setting up and maintaining a website.
We did not want to make that kind of effort if it were only to provide feedback on the
park. Other community issues are on the horizon including the reconstruction of Ralston
Road from Olde Town to Kipling and the integration of AURA's plans for the renewal of
the Triangle shopping district. After some discussion, we decided to make the attempt
only if the association were designed to cover broader community-development issues.
The suggestion for the name, Citizens for a Livable Ralston Community, came from RTD
board member, Lorraine Anderson.